Fishing on the Skykomish River has been fair over the last few weeks with some really nice ocean-bright fish being caught each day. The Chinook salmon have been averaging eight to 15 pounds while the summer steelhead have been averaging seven to 10 pounds with an occasional fish around 12 to 13 pounds.

The go-to bait is a small cluster of cured salmon roe paired with a double hook set up on about a four-foot leader.

Cast the bait with a bit of pencil lead into the green seams on the river and drift the bait through the holes.

Hang on when the fish grabs the bait because you will be in for a spectacular battle with one of the best sport fish to catch in the entire Pacific Northwest!

Screamin’ Reels summer steelhead season on the Skykomish has been steady with four to five fish days on average with a few slower days as well. We have also had some great days with eight to 10 steelhead hooked which definitely makes up for the slower days and keeps everyone coming back for a great day on the river.

Not only are the fish nice, the scenery provided by mother nature is spectacular with the snow covered mountains in the background and lots of wildlife such as deer, and bald eagles on their nests with their young. It is hard to believe that this beautiful river is just an hour’s drive from Seattle! Be sure to take your kids out fishing this July and experience the great outdoors!

Pictured below is Natalie Anderson, age 6, on her first day as a deck hand for Screamin’ Reels with long- time Woodinville resident and close family friend “Papa” Jerry Lounsbury with a nice summer steelhead caught on the first pass of the morning near Monroe.